FIFA Punishment for CR Soccer Player’s Dive

Costa Rica Sports News – For everyone that watched the USA/Costa Rica World Cup qualifying soccer match, they witnessed one of the worst dives at least I have ever seen by Costa Rica player Joel Campbell. There were more than just this one act of unsportsmanlike behavior, in response to the “snow game” loss in Denver.

The game between Costa Rica and the United States of America started on a bad note. The American national anthem was not well heard because of the entire stadium whistling and booing the team and their anthem.

During the game, Matt Besler got his second yellow card in World Cup qualifiers. This resulted in a suspension for the match against Mexico. American fans as well as players were furious.

Costa Rica’s Joel Campbell Dive

U.S. Soccer produced highlights that showed very clearly Costa Rica’s Joel Campbell diving to draw the foul. FIFA ruled that Campbell breached article 57 of its disciplinary code and this article says that they must sanction a player “who violates the principles of fair play or whose behavior is otherwise unsporting.”

They did fine the federation $13,400, but many say it is not a strong enough punishment. Campbell dove and then fell to the ground after Matt Besler stepped on his foot accidentally.

Besler will be eligible to play for the U.S. vs. Jamaica game on the 11th. It will take place in his home stadium, Sporting Park, Kansas City.

The team that played better won that night, but the USA hopes to see Costa Rica again during the World Cup in Brazil to get its own revenge.